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Minister of Defence appoints top three three leaders of the Defence Forces of Estonia

18. May 2016 - 16:04

Today, on the proposal of the Commander of the Defence Forces, Minister of Defence Hannes Hanso appointed Brigadier General Indrek Sirel as Deputy Commander of the Defence Forces, as of 18 July; Colonel Martin Herem as Chief of the Headquarters of the Defence Forces, as of 15 July; and Colonel Rauno Sirk as Commander of Support Command, as of 21 June.

Minister of Defence Hannes Hanso met in Tallinn last week with Brigadier General Indrek Sirel and Colonel Martin Herem.

“Colonel Martin Herem – one of the men responsible for restoring the Estonian Defence League and who began his service in the Defence Forces of Estonia – is a next generation officer who has stood out with his innovation and creativity. A country the size of Estonia must use innovative solutions to deter an overwhelming opponent and, if the situation so requires, then also to repel them," said Minister of Defence Hannes Hanso after signing the directive. “Brigadier General Indrek Sirel has impressive service related experience and international cooperation experience, which we will definitely need to further develop Estonia's military defence and especially to elevate our collective defence to the next level. “

Brigadier General Indrek Sirel is currently serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff J7 at the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum.Brigadier General Indrek Sirel previously served as the Commander of the Land Forces and the Commander of the Scouts Battalion.

Colonel Martin Herem is currently the Commandant of the Estonian National Defence College. Herem has previously served as Commander of the North-Eastern Defence District.

Colonel Rauno Sirk has previously served as Commander of Ämari Air Base, Chief of Staff of the Headquarters of the Air Force, and Estonia’s deputy representative to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

The Minister of Defence decided to award the Second Class Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence to current Deputy Commander of the Defence Forces of Estonia Brigadier General Artur Tiganik, and Chief of the Headquarters of the Defence Forces Commodore Igor Schvede, for their conscientious and consistent implementation of the National Defence Development Plan 2013-2022. 2014. Lieutenant Colonel Kalev Koidumäe, the first commander of the Support Command of the Estonian Defence Forces, established in 2014, was awarded the Third Class Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence for his long-term, dedicated and fruitful development of the logistics system of the Defence Forces.

Brigadier General Artur Tiganik will continue serving as Estonia's military representative to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE); Commodore Igor Schvede as Estonia's military representative to the European Union and NATO; and Lieutenant Colonel Kalev Koidumäe at the Ministry of Defence.

Subject related news

Servicemen from the United Kingdom, who are serving in Estonia within the framework of the presence of NATO, received mission medals at the ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence. Among others, a mission medal was presented to Colonel Giles Harris, Commander of the eFP Command in Estonia, who has been serving in Estonia since the arrival of the allied units in the spring of 2017.

Friday, Ministers of Defence from Estonia, Latvia and Denmark inaugurated Headquarters Multinational Division North, located at the Ādaži military camp, in Latvia. The purpose of Headquarters Multinational Division North is to enhance the defens capability of the region and connect the region’s forces with the Alliance’s highest Command Structure.